Rook and Bishop vs Rook: Finishing the Win
White to play and win, after Philidor, 1749
PlayThis is the Philidor position after the black rook was forced off the 2nd rank. The rule for the finish: first cover the squares the rook would check from with your bishop, then use checks that gain time and switch your rook from wing to wing, until Black cannot meet every mate threat.
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Finishing the Philidor Position
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.
The key move is Bb3. If Black answers it with a king move, the same tools win: Rb4 threatens Be6, Rh4 switches wings, and Ba4 covers d1 again. Rb4 next, and Black cannot stop Bd7.
This is Philidor's position a few moves on, and the finish is pure zugzwang.
The bishop squeezes the rook. Bb3 takes d1 and c2 away, so the rook has no check and no road back. After Be6 Rd3+ Bd5 it is stuck on the third rank.
The rook does the herding. Rd7+, Rh7, Rb7+ and Rb4 push the king toward a8, the corner that matches the bishop's colour, where the mating net exists.
Then zugzwang again. Bc4 hands Black the move, Be6+ follows, and Rb8+ forces the rook to c8, where taking it is mate.
In this drill the opponent never gives up a half point. Squeeze, herd, and mate.
Keep going
Defending Rook Against Rook and Bishop
Black to play and draw
Rook Against Rook and Bishop: the Defender Holds
Black to play and draw
Rook against Rook and Bishop: Off the Edge
Black to play and draw
All 30 rook vs minor positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)